My Evergreen Shrubs Are Dying

David Harris Updated February 21, 2017

Growing evergreens requires very little work, but if your shrubs begin dying, it means something is wrong. Common signs of dying evergreen shrubs include dropping needles and needles that are turning brown. In many cases, dying evergreens can be saved with a simple fix in the way you care for them.

Check your tree carefully for diseases and insect infestation. Ask a trained horticulturist from a local garden centre to help you determine if your tree is diseased or not. Take a branch to your garden centre that is showing symptoms for an evaluation. Follow the horticulturist's recommendation to heal the tree if there is a disease.

Check the pH levels in the soil. Evergreens prefer to grow in acidic soils, so add aluminium sulphate to the soil if levels are too low.

Add evergreen-specific fertiliser to the tree. Do not apply the fertiliser in the summer since it may burn the tree. Be careful when applying fertiliser, and follow instructions on the packaging.

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Things You'll Need

Fertiliser

Shovel

References

About the Author

David Harris is a writer living in Portland, Ore. He currently is the editor-in-chief of the online magazine Spectrum Culture. He holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College.